The Bono Region has recorded 14,877 cases of teenage pregnancy between 2021 and 2024, according to Rita Adjoa Ansong, Deputy Director of Nursing Services for Public Health. She shared this troubling statistic during a stakeholders’ meeting in Sunyani, held as part of activities marking African Vaccination Week and Child Health Promotion Week.
Madam Ansong further revealed that 1,188 abortions were recorded among girls aged 15 to 19 during the same period. Breaking down the figures, she reported 3,999 pregnancies and 388 abortions in 2021; 4,058 pregnancies and 351 abortions in 2022; 3,492 pregnancies and 217 abortions in 2023; and 3,328 pregnancies with 282 abortions in 2024.
Describing the situation as “worrying,” she called for stronger stakeholder support to expand access to family planning services for teenage girls. According to her, family planning empowers girls to make informed decisions, avoid unplanned pregnancies, and continue their education.
She pointed out that myths, lack of community support, and cultural and religious beliefs often stop girls from using these services.
Despite the challenges, she noted a modest increase in family planning coverage in the region, rising from 36.45% in 2023 to 39.58% in 2024. This progress, she said, was driven by improved partnerships, a consistent supply of contraceptives, and greater uptake of long-term birth control methods among adolescents.
She acknowledged the support of organizations such as Marie Stopes, DKT, and the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), whose free contraceptive supplies contributed significantly to the gains made.
She stressed that family planning gives girls the power to choose their futures, reduces maternal deaths, and leads to healthier families. She called on the media and other partners to help raise awareness and fight harmful beliefs and misinformation.
Also speaking at the forum, the Deputy Director of Public Health in the Bono Region, Dr. Prince Quarshie, emphasized the role of public education in promoting immunization and child health services. He said the gathering aimed to strengthen collaboration among health professionals, government agencies, development partners, and the media in safeguarding children’s health.
African Vaccination Week, led by the World Health Organisation since 2010, takes place every April 24–30 to highlight the importance of vaccines. Ghana’s Child Health Promotion Week, celebrated May 5–9, focuses on nutrition, immunisation, and disease prevention for children under five.
Source: gbconline.com
